Texas fight highlights higher ed culture clash

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, ivy grows near the lettering of an entrance to the University of Texas, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, ivy grows near the lettering of an entrance to the University of Texas, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas president Bill Powers poses for a photo at the University of Texas, in Austin, Texas. Convinced the state board was hell-bent on turning their beloved “university of the first class” required by the Texas constitution into a downmarket trade school, faculty, students and alumni have rallied behind Powers in protest. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas president Bill Powers poses for a photo at the University of Texas, in Austin, Texas. Convinced the state board was hell-bent on turning their beloved “university of the first class” required by the Texas constitution into a downmarket trade school, faculty, students and alumni have rallied behind Powers in protest. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 photo, Dr. Peter Flawn poses for a photo at his University of Texas office, in Austin, Texas. Flawn came to Texas more than half-a-century ago and served as president of UT Austin from 1979-1985, then again briefly in the late 1990s. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 photo, Dr. Peter Flawn poses for a photo at his University of Texas office, in Austin, Texas. Flawn came to Texas more than half-a-century ago and served as president of UT Austin from 1979-1985, then again briefly in the late 1990s. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas students Henri Kejellberg, center, Cheralyn Salone, top right, and Robert Rajput, bottom, work in an aerospace engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas students Henri Kejellberg, center, Cheralyn Salone, top right, and Robert Rajput, bottom, work in an aerospace engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas students work on a fuselage in an aerospace engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas students work on a fuselage in an aerospace engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, a University of Texas student works in an aerospace engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, a University of Texas student works in an aerospace engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas students Henri Kejellberg, Cheralyn Salone, left, and Robert Rajput, right, work in an aerospace engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas students Henri Kejellberg, Cheralyn Salone, left, and Robert Rajput, right, work in an aerospace engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, post doctoral fellow Eunna Chung, right, works in a biomedical engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, post doctoral fellow Eunna Chung, right, works in a biomedical engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, post-doctoral fellow Eunna Chung, right, works in a biomedical engineering lab on the University of Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, post-doctoral fellow Eunna Chung, right, works in a biomedical engineering lab on the University of Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, photo, University of Texas students Henri Kejellberg, left, Cheralyn Salone, center, and Robert Rajput, right, work in an aerospace engineering lab on the University of Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, photo, University of Texas students Henri Kejellberg, left, Cheralyn Salone, center, and Robert Rajput, right, work in an aerospace engineering lab on the University of Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas student Brandon Nguyen works in a virtual drug screening lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas student Brandon Nguyen works in a virtual drug screening lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. In-state tuition at public research universities has increased 43 percent beyond inflation over the last decade, to more than $15,000. UT-Austin remains considerably less _ around $10,000 per year. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas student Aldo Delolmo works in a virtual drug screening lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas student Aldo Delolmo works in a virtual drug screening lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas student Aldo Delolmo works in a virtual drug screening lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, University of Texas student Aldo Delolmo works in a virtual drug screening lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, photo, University of Texas graduate student Ryan Stowers works in a Biomedical Engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, photo, University of Texas graduate student Ryan Stowers works in a Biomedical Engineering lab on the Texas campus, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 photo, University of Texas Systems board of regents chairman Gene Powell adjusts his nameplate during a news conference, in Austin, Texas. Powell, the former UT football player and San Antonio real estate developer, insists he wants UT-Austin to be great _ but also accessible, and for students to have options. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 photo, University of Texas Systems board of regents chairman Gene Powell adjusts his nameplate during a news conference, in Austin, Texas. Powell, the former UT football player and San Antonio real estate developer, insists he wants UT-Austin to be great _ but also accessible, and for students to have options. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 photo, University of Texas Systems board of regents chairman Gene Powell, second from right, leads a regents meeting, in Austin, Texas. Powell, the former UT football player and San Antonio real estate developer, insists he wants UT-Austin to be great, but also accessible, and for students to have options. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 photo, University of Texas Systems board of regents chairman Gene Powell, second from right, leads a regents meeting, in Austin, Texas. Powell, the former UT football player and San Antonio real estate developer, insists he wants UT-Austin to be great, but also accessible, and for students to have options. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 photo, University of Texas professor Alan Friedman poses for a photo at his office, in Austin, Texas. Friedman is a longtime faculty Senate leader who has fought administrators for most of his career but helped rally faculty support for Texas president Bill Powers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 photo, University of Texas professor Alan Friedman poses for a photo at his office, in Austin, Texas. Friedman is a longtime faculty Senate leader who has fought administrators for most of his career but helped rally faculty support for Texas president Bill Powers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, a statue of George Washington stands near the University of Texas Tower at the center of campus, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)— AP

In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 photo, a statue of George Washington stands near the University of Texas Tower at the center of campus, in Austin, Texas. If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, a pleasingly sleek appearance. Even the price is comparable to the luxury car's basic model: In-state tuition runs about $40,000 for a four-year degree. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
/ AP

AUSTIN, Texas 
If colleges were automobiles, the University of Texas at Austin would be a Cadillac: a famous brand, a powerful engine of research and teaching, handsome in appearance. Even the price is comparable: Like one of the luxury car's models, in-state tuition for a four-year degree runs about $40,000.

But in an era of budget-cutting and soaring tuition, is there still a place for "Cadillacs" - elite, public research institutions like Texas, Michigan, California-Berkeley and Virginia that try to compete with the world's best? Or should the focus be on more affordable and efficient options, like the old Chevrolet Bel Air?

It's the central question in a pointed clash of cultures in higher education. And when Gene Powell - the former UT football player and San Antonio real estate developer who chairs the Texas board of regents - raised it with precisely that automotive comparison, reaction was swift and angry.

Convinced the state board was hell-bent on turning their beloved "university of the first class" required by the Texas constitution into a downmarket trade school, faculty, students and alumni have rallied behind campus president Bill Powers in protest.

Powell insists he wants UT-Austin to be great - but also accessible, and for students to have options. Republican Gov. Rick Perry and many of the reform-minded regents he's appointed have made clear they think UT's quest for global prestige has produced too much ivory-tower research, and too little focus on teaching and keeping college affordable for Texans.

In Perry's push for accountability and productivity, many here see something nefarious: a campaign, rooted in a longstanding anti-intellectual strain of Texas politics, to gut a university that shouldn't have to apologize for being "elite."

"I just don't understand why they want to dumb down a public institution of this magnitude," said Machree Gibson, chairman of the Texas Exes, UT's powerful and independent 99,000 member alumni society, which has pushed back.

With Perry due to appoint three new regents this month, the fight is set to flare up again. But the debate is bigger even than Texas.

Like-minded governors in Florida, Wisconsin and elsewhere are watching how Perry and his allies fare. Unusually, it's political conservatives who are the radical reformers, and their opponents the ones digging in to resist upending well-established institutions.

Along the way, career casualties are piling up. Over the last 18 months, presidents of 11 of the 35 leading public research universities have quit or been fired. That doesn't include the University of Virginia, where a reform-minded board fired President Teresa Sullivan, only to reinstate her two weeks later after a faculty revolt.

But Texas is "ground zero" in the national debate, said Hunter Rawlings, president of the Association of American Universities, which represents 62 top public and private research institutions. Among the combustible elements here: fanatical alumni, an ambitious governor with unique power over his state's universities, and an influential conservative think-tank - all situated within a few blocks of each other in downtown Austin.